Ely Museum Receives Heritage Lottery Fund Grant for Renovations

Redevelopment plans at Ely Museum in Cambridgeshire, England, have been given a major boost by a £1.6m Heritage Lottery Fund grant.

The museum is renowned for its massive collection of Fenland artefacts. This includes Roman remains and fossils. This Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) grant will help with the ‘Unlocking the Potential of the Old Gaol’ project.

That’s due to cost £2.2m and a delighted Sara Adderson, the museum’s assistant curator, said: “We’re absolutely delighted, it’s been a lot of hard work but it’s a really good opportunity for the museum.”

Ely Museum is a 700-year old listed building, but the HLF grant will see vital work carried out. will First on the plans is a lift to help people with limited mobility or child buggies.

Exciting Events Planned

The museum has also received support from local people and councils. The Museum’s curator Elie Hughes is overjoyed at the financial help received. She believes the Heritage Lottery Fund grant will see lots of “events, activities and volunteering opportunities and consultation.”

This will mean that while the Ely Museum is closed there will be lots going on. This will include working with schools and organising trips.

New Galleries to be Opened

The funding will see new galleries opened, improved visitor facilities and better storage for their many collections. There will also be an education gallery added and restoration work carried out.

Ros Kerslake, chief executive of HLF, said: “Museums are vital to our understanding of the past, and with the support of the National Lottery, the people of Ely will have a wonderful asset on their doorstep in order to discover the rich heritage of the cathedral city.”

Work on the project is expected to begin later this year with the museum planning to reopen in September 2020.